(Japanese Site)
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| [Computex Taipei '98] Motherboard Makers Expand Product Functions to Attract Buyers
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June 9, 1998 (TAIPEI) -- Taiwan's motherboard makers have slashed
prices so much, it appears there's no room left to discount
further. Rather, they are now adding functions to differentiate
their products.
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These trends were evident at Computex Taipei 98 Computex Taipei '98, a
computer industry trade show held June 2-June 5 in Taipei.
By the third day of the show, motherboard makers were not
slashing prices of their products. Industry observers said that
might mean the last battle in the price war was so fierce that
manufacturers have no room left for more cuts.
Instead, in an effort to attract buyers, motherboard makers are
expanding their functions, each trying to create a product that
is superior to those of its competitors.
An executive from Mycomp Co., a local motherboard maker attending
the show, said the low-priced strategy adopted by some companies
has dampened profits for everyone. In response, his company
recently developed a motherboard using Intel Corp.'s BX CPU, and
in which Slot 1 is inserted horizontally, to save space. This
product, the first of its kind in Taiwan, is designed for
industrial-use computers, and is currently priced at US$400.
Another company attending the show offered modem cards and mini-
notebooks along with its motherboards, while another introduced a
new line of products with its own brand name.
Industry observers said foreign orders for motherboards will
probably not grow noticeably until Microsoft's Windows 98
operating system becomes available.
Most motherboards at the Computex show were priced at around
US$70-100. Those equipped with Intel's BX CPU were quoted at
US$90 to US$100, while those with the EX were around US$70 to
US$80. Socket 7 100MHx motherboards were priced around US$80.
Related stories: Taiwan Computer Makers Stress Added Value: TCA
Chairman
Computex '98 Showcases Industry Trends for 18th
Year
(Commercial Times, Taiwan)
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